Kenneth Lee Black

Kenneth Lee Black Ken Black passed away on January 16, 2011, at the age of 65 after battling cancer. He was born in 1945 in Oklahoma City, OK, to Upton Sinclair Black and Katherine Vawter. Ken attended the University of Oklahoma (B.A. and M.A.), but most importantly, met the love of his life, Susan. They married on July 18, 1966, and had sons Daniel and Nathan. Ken served in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant from 1967-1971 on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk and U.S.S. Cook. They moved from OK to Corvallis, OR, where Ken worked in the community development field for the City of Corvallis from 1973-1982, before moving to Olympia. With over 23 years of service to the City of Olympia as a community development coordinator, Ken leaves a lasting legacy with over $10 million in federal, state and local funding invested in housing, social service and economic opportunities for low income residents. Anyone who drives into Olympia and sees the “All America City” signs, walks by the Boardwalk Apartments for seniors on their way to the Farmers Market, plays in Lions or Bigelow Park, is enjoying his legacy to the city he loved. Ken was instrumental in helping revive downtown Olympia in the early ‘80s with projects that brought abandoned buildings back to life, like the historic Elks Building apartments overlooking Sylvester Park, and turning the old Miller’s Department Store into the Stuart Place Apartments atop the ever popular Starbucks. We will treasure our walks in downtown as we see Ken everywhere. Ken loved a good joke, the Blues Brothers, and rooting for the Oklahoma Sooners, but most of all, he cherished the love of his life, Susan, for almost 45 years of marriage; his two sons and grandchildren; and his faith and service to the church. Ken, you greeted every person you met with a smile or a joke, and every child with a paper bag and the invisible ball trick. We know you’re teaching that one to all the kids in heaven. We’ll miss your upbeat attitude, your passion for church and family, and the positive role model you were as you navigated through life’s challenges. The kids will miss your Mickey stories. You are loved. Ken is survived by wife Susan Black; son Dan Black, Karin & grandchildren, Delia & Samuel; son Nathan Black, Jolene & grandson Simon; sister Sandy & Wendell Kluge; sister Beverly Ozment; and other numerous relatives and friends, especially those at the Church of Christ. Donations can be made to the Church of Christ for the “Baby Bank” ministry, or your favorite charity in lieu of flowers. To leave memories of Ken or condolences for the family, please click on "View Guestbook" below.